Fridge on 21ec

[Pilotnavigator]

What is the experience with power drain on the battery capacity when running the fridge on a 21ec? With the basic Factory setup of one house battery how long can you run the fridge without running the engine. How long do you run the engine when at anchor to charge the batteries?
Thanks
John

 

[Ard]

John-

On my R21 classic I don't have a fridge in the pilot house so I use a Dometic CF50 as a deep freezer behind the engine cover. I use it to make block ice to support a passive fridge/cooler as well as providing luxuries like ice cream and steaks weeks into a trip. I run it to the limit of zero degrees F so it runs almost constantly drawing a max of 4.5 amps. My boat has a 55 amp alternator and a 60 watt solar panel. Currently my batteries are old so I must recharge every day. I'm not sure how long it actually takes but I'd guess at least an hour. My alternator achieves full output at 1200 rpm.

Ard

 

[Pilotnavigator]

good info, I think the fridge takes 3 amps and I dont expect to get a solar panel this summer. BUT the top will be made to have an additional bar on top to hold one if needed.

 

[daviduphoff]

I recently added a third battery to my 21. I added a group 31 battery under the rear seat on the Port side. I use this battery for a start battery. I wired it directly to the starter and the ground block. I wired from the combiner to the starter.

I combined the two batteries under the engine cover to use as house batteries. These batteries are now just about 2 years old and are the group 24 batteries that would have come with the boat. That being said I can now run a full 24 hours before the refer drains both batteries. Prior to that the refer would drain the battery overnight.

While I was having cables made I had an extra one made that is long enough to run from the house batteries to the start battery just in case I need a jump.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

well that answers the question on how long the fridge will last on the standard batteries. It was pointed out that the AGM's can be mounted on end, so can you measure the height in the engine box for batteries. IF there is 12 inches then I can put two D27M's there and 2 more in the stern locker. That would give me 3 house batteries and enought power to last a day or so on the hook!
Thanks
John

 

[dalee62]

I have 2 golf cart batteries (243 amp hours) under the engine cover for house batteries that let me run the fridge on setting 3 which will be 40F for 72 hours before I have to recharge. I have never recorded how long it took to get things back up to full charge.

Dave

 

[johnniethek]

I never had to consider this question because I turned it off when I went to bed and turned it on again in the a.m.

There has been NO food damage or contamination because of the quality of the unit. Things are still frozen in the a.m., and there's no need to worry about burning up battery power.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Thanks for the input. We typically anchor for a few days in one location before moving on. How would the single battery last that long? Seems to recall the spec on the fridge is 2.2 Ah?